TORONTO, Ont. – Citing safety concerns, students at Toronto elementary schools that did not register for fall cross-country meets will be unable to compete, the Toronto District School Board announced on Monday.

According to TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird, the four sites are at full capacity.

“Because of safety concerns, we just can’t add anymore,” he told 680News.

Bird declined to comment on whether the decision was related to teachers’ boycotts.

“I wouldn’t want to get into details when it comes to ongoing labour action,” he said.

Still, some think it is as a result of a lack of volunteers.

“This is not part of their contractual obligations,” David Grossman of Fan 590, who covers amateur sports, told 680News.

“They’re upset right now with the Ontario government.”

“They have every right to back out of something that’s voluntary,” he said.

After-school activities, such as the cross-country meet, are voluntary and teachers cannot be forced to volunteer, TDSB chair Chris Bolton told 680News.

“We cannot ask people to do things on their free time that they don’t want to do.”

He added that not all schools are affected because the decisions

“The decisions are by teachers as individuals,” he said.  

“It’s very different from one school to the next.”

Board officials are considering alternate meets for elementary schools that did not register.